The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently announced the recipients of the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards for the nine academic institutions. Dr. Laura Hall, Associate Professor of Information and Decision Sciences at the UTEP College of Business Administration, is among recipients from throughout The University of Texas System who will share $2 million in Board of Regents' Outstanding Teaching Awards.

Laura Hall received her doctoral degree in information systems management in 1997 from Florida State University. She has been at UTEP since 1996.

“Building learning environments that extend beyond the walls of the classroom allows students to develop a greater sense of community responsibility and prepares them to be strong role models for other underrepresented minority students in the region," said Hall.

The regents honored the recipients during an Aug. 22 ceremony at the UT Austin campus.

“All of us at UTEP applaud the UT System Board of Regents for establishing an award to recognize teaching excellence,” said UTEP President Diana Natalicio. “We are extremely proud that this year 10 UTEP faculty members were selected to receive the 2012 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards. These talented, innovative and dedicated UTEP teachers richly deserve the recognition conferred by this prestigious and highly competitive System-wide award. I congratulate all of them and thank them for everything they do to contribute to UTEP’s and our students’ success.“

The regents made their selection in tenured, tenure-track and contingent categories, and each came with a $25,000 prize. The awards, which are the highest honor bestowed by the regents, are among the largest in the nation in rewarding faculty performance and among the most competitive.

Nominees went through a rigorous evaluation process that included student, peer and external review. At every level, the candidates were assessed on their teaching performance to include classroom expertise, curricula quality, innovative course development and student learning outcomes.

“The UT System and the Board of Regents believe educating young minds is paramount for the future of this great state and nation,” said UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa. “These awards honor those educators who have produced proven results and have had a great impact on our students.”